That may be the worst 3rd line in the history of hockey. None of those guys possess any speed at all and it would be your shut-down cycling line?

Hmm. Interesting to see such drastic difference of opinions, because that third line, to me, would be about as good as we could hope for.

I don't think of shut-down and cycling as the same thing. Cycling is an offensive mindset. "shut-down" is a defensive mindset.

I get what you're saying but I look at the way Staal-Kennedy-Cooke worked the past several years. Use your speed to cause havoc and then play keep-away. Last year they could cycle a puck for an insane amount of time and the offensive weapons never had a chance to tee it up, hence they shut them down. I think your 4th line, which is typically a checking line also, by default, becomes a shut down line. You need one line that plays keep away and is excellent at harassment. Dupuis worked very well in that role when he came here. Speed and puck-possession are the biggest weapons on the 3rd line.

For people that have been unimpressed by Sutter, what doesn't he do that you guys feel let down? Because I think he has done everything he's been asked to do and his point production has been fine considering TK isn't scoring and neither is Cooke.

Rylan wrote:For people that have been unimpressed by Sutter, what doesn't he do that you guys feel let down? Because I think he has done everything he's been asked to do and his point production has been fine considering TK isn't scoring and neither is Cooke.

That leads to a weird circular argument, because it's reasonable to say that TK and MC would score more with a better - aka Staal - center.Then again, Sutter would be on the score sheet more, if he had better wingers......of course we're talking pre-trade bananza, as far as lines.

I'm perfectly happy with Sutter and he's performed as should have been expected.

Rylan wrote:For people that have been unimpressed by Sutter, what doesn't he do that you guys feel let down? Because I think he has done everything he's been asked to do and his point production has been fine considering TK isn't scoring and neither is Cooke.

It has nothing to do with how Sutter has played, and everything to do with a new guy who has put up some points in his first couple of games. Imaginations go wild. Just like they do when a rookie shows potential or puts up some points. Players like kraft, koltsov, tangradi, etc have all been that guy.

I'm old and jaded, so it happens less often these days. But I remember feeling that way about park, roche, maciver, etc in the past.

I am amazed that dupuis can play on any line and pump in some energy. Kind of like a poor mans crosby seems to make any line better.I would like to see him with sutter or malkin and see how it changes their game.

Rylan wrote:For people that have been unimpressed by Sutter, what doesn't he do that you guys feel let down? Because I think he has done everything he's been asked to do and his point production has been fine considering TK isn't scoring and neither is Cooke.

sutter's a surprisingly poor skater, which makes his him somewhat of an ineffective forechecker. his penalty killing acumen isn't really what i expected either...which probably has something to do with, again, his limited ability to cover the ice. he has a nice shot, which has allowed him to convert his scoring chances effectively, but he's not someone who's going to be able to get into those positions very often.

i think he might be a victim of hype. i heard a lot of great things about sutter in the offseason, so i expected more than a garden variety 3rd line center. that may be my fault for being under-informed.

but like someone said, it's not so much a matter of him being demoted due to poor performance - i just think there may be better options.

My problem with Sutter is that I don't think he's all that great in the defensive zone. I mean he's not terrible, but I wouldn't call him great or stellar or anything like that. However, I guess he's only making 2 mil a year and so I should expect him to play on the level of Cooke and TK and perhaps he is.

It baffles me that with all the injuries, including our top 2 centers, Blysma continues to keep Cooke-Sutter-TK together, when they have been totally ineffective as a line. They're the Penguins #2 line combo (in terms of playing time) by a wide margin, and yet have scored less than 7 goals playing together.

It's like Blysma thinks Sutter is Staal and that they'll somehow rekindle the magic from the cup run. I don't get it. I think Sutter is a fine 3rd line center; but he plays the game differently than Staal. He needs different linemates.

He and Kennedy neutralize each other's effectiveness. Sutter is a smart player, but he's not especially gifted the way Staal was. He needs someone who can think the game, not someone who just motors.

pcm wrote:It baffles me that with all the injuries, including our top 2 centers, Blysma continues to keep Cooke-Sutter-TK together, when they have been totally ineffective as a line. They're the Penguins #2 line combo (in terms of playing time) by a wide margin, and yet have scored less than 7 goals playing together.

It's like Blysma thinks Sutter is Staal and that they'll somehow rekindle the magic from the cup run. I don't get it. I think Sutter is a fine 3rd line center; but he plays the game differently than Staal. He needs different linemates.

He and Kennedy neutralize each other's effectiveness. Sutter is a smart player, but he's not especially gifted the way Staal was. He needs someone who can think the game, not someone who just motors.

I agree. TK just doesn't fit with them. On the other hand, Cooke & Sutter seemed to have instant chemistry which is likely because Cooke plays a good, hard, simple game. If Crosby & Neal both return, I'd put Jokinen on the 3rd line with Cooke & Sutter and send TK back to the 4th line.

Edit: Oh, I forgot about Morrow I'd probably go Morrow-Sutter-Jokinen then; Cooke to the 4th line and Glass or TK to the press box.

On the surface, Thursday's game had the unmistakable feel of a “trap” game. The Penguins had just clinched the Atlantic Division 48 hours earlier and were in the midst of enjoying two nights without an early wake-up call, as Thursday's morning skate was made optional by coach Dan Bylsma and Friday's practice was cancelled.